Abigail is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition at Case Western Reserve University. Her research investigates how diet, particularly plant-based diets, influence intestinal inflammation and the gut microbiome in Crohn’s disease, translating preclinical discoveries into human clinical trials. Dr. Raffner has secured multiple NIH and industry-funded grants, including an NIH K01 award, and has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications. She has mentored over 100 students and serves in editorial and advisory roles for leading nutrition journals. Her work exemplifies scientific rigor, innovation, and mentorship, and serves to advance dietetic science and clinical practice while inspiring the next generation of nutrition researchers.